Second Class Permit Paid at Bronx, N.Y. USPS 114-590 Volume 37 Number 7 September 2008 One Dollar CITY ISLAND: THE MOVIE By MARSHA TREIBER The summer of 2008 will long be re- Island and decided it would make a perfect membered on City Island for the excite- setting for the film. When Andy Garcia, ment generated by the production of an who shares an agent with Raymond, read independent film called, not coincidentally, the script, he knew that he wanted to do “City Island.” This story of a dysfunctional the film, not just as an actor but also as a Italian-American family is set primarily on producer. Other members of the crew con- Horton Street, although various other Island cur with the quality of the script; the sound settings were also used. technician told me after the shooting of a Writer-director Raymond De Felitta scene at the Morris Yacht club that “the was in the middle of writing the script when script is incredibly well written.” he saw a New York Times article about City “Manhattan is only a piece of New York City. It is surrounded by an infrastructure of the outer boroughs,” Raymond explains. He wants to show a unique community within the city limits that is not Manhattan-centric. He calls the movie “a comedy that plays like the truth,” pointing out that the great Rus- Continued on page 13 Photos by RICK DEWITT, JOE NIXON and MARSHA TREIBER The independent movie City Island was filmed for three exciting weeks in July and August 2008 on Horton Street and at various other Island settings (top photos). Writer/director/producer Raymond De Felitta (photo below left with Andy Garcia) Rabies Alert on City Island read a New York Times article on City Island and decided it would make the perfect By BARBARA DOLENSEK setting for his story of an Italian-American family. The film stars Andy Garcia, Julianna For the first time rabid raccoons have cats in NYC and is the best way to protect Margulies and Steven Strait (photos below), as well as Alan Arkin. Laura Nilon Tres- been found on City Island in the Bronx. Two them from being infected with rabies. sel, who grew up on Pilot Street (above far right), was the City Island liaison for the rabid raccoons were found in May of this Keep your cats indoors if possible and film. Some of the friendly stars took time to pose with Islanders, including Buckley year, followed by a rabid stray kitten in July. supervise your dogs while they are outdoors. Street resident Miriam Nixon (bottom photos) shown with Mr. Garcia and Ms. Margu- Although rabid raccoons are found in the Pets that roam may come into contact with lies. When it is released, the film will include vintage scenes of City Island during the Bronx each year, this is the first time they rabid animals, get infected and then expose opening credits. have been found on City Island. you. Any unvaccinated dog or cat that may The Health Department is asking all have been exposed to a rabid animal is re- City Island residents to make sure that they quired to enter a six-month isolation or be have vaccinated their pets against rabies and euthanized. to stay away from wild and stray animals. Keep garbage in containers to avoid at- Rabies is almost always fatal for humans tracting animals. Raccoons are very clever, and animals. so be sure that the lids are on tight. If you On May 5 of this year, a rabid raccoon see an open garbage container at an Island was found at Rochelle Street and City Island restaurant, ask the management to keep it Avenue, and on May 29 another was found covered. near the same location. On July 15, a stray If you must feed pets out of doors, leave kitten found at Minneford Avenue and Cross the food out for only a few minutes and bring Street tested positive for rabies after being it in before twilight, which is when raccoons attacked by a raccoon. No new rabid animals and skunks are most active. Never leave pet have since been reported on City Island. food out all night. Rabies is a viral infection that affects Call a veterinarian if your pet has been the nervous system. It is spread to people in contact with any wild animal or with one and pets by bites from infected wild animals, that might be rabid. usually bats, raccoons and skunks. In New York City, animal rabies is most common in Stay Away from Wild or Stray Animals the Bronx and Staten Island and most often Never approach a wild, stray, sick or occurs in raccoons. Rabid bats have been re- injured animal, no matter how helpless it ported from all the boroughs. looks. Raccoons, skunks and bats are more To date this year, a total of 11 animals likely than other animals to have rabies. Be have tested positive for rabies including careful around these animals, especially if three raccoons, two skunks and one cat in they look sick or behave strangely, such as the Bronx; four raccoons on Staten Island, acting too aggressive or too friendly, or has and one raccoon in Queens. There have been trouble standing up. If it is a night animal, no human or dog cases of rabies in more such as a raccoon, and you see it walking than 50 years. around during the day, stay away from it. Protect Your Pet and Your Family If you see any animals acting this way, call 311 and ask for Animal Care and Con- Get your pet vaccinated regularly for trol for advice on what to do. rabies. It the law! Maintaining vaccination For more information, visit nyc.gov/ against rabies is required for all dogs and health.rabies. Page Two The Island Current September 2008 BRIEFLY... Last Sewer Phase Completed to the SEPTEMBER ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Join the Chamber of Commerce’s annual fall Relief of Schofield St. Residents fair on City Island Avenue, from Bay Street to Carroll Street, featuring 50 or more vendors By KAREN NANI with jewelry, stained glass, paintings, photography, candles, clothing, personal care products, crafts and more. Music by The Lickety Split Band. Rain or shine. In spite of a few mishaps in the final bors. “In addition to having to move our phases of the years-long sewer and water cars out before 7 a.m. every day, we have FLU CLINIC will be hosted by Grace Episcopal Church, 116 City Island Avenue at main project, the work will be 100 percent been living under a cloud of dust,” Sailmak- Pilot Street, on Sunday, Oct, 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Preventa Health will offer completed ahead of schedule, according to er resident Ann McGuire told The Current. influenza and pneumococcal immunizations at no cost for those with Medicare Part B (must the Department of Design and Construc- Although the residents understand that this present card); for all others, a flu shot is $25 and the pneumonia shot is $45 (cash or check tion (DDC). work has to be done, the large amount of only); no private insurance will be accepted, but a receipt will be provided for filing. The The last major phase was installation equipment needed for the project has made Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone over the age of four should get a flu of pipes in the 39-foot-deep sanitary sewer walking and navigating the street difficult. shot every year. For more information, call Preventa Health at 203-274-7896. on Schofield Street over this past summer. According to Mr. Macagnone, relief is Work was proceeding smoothly until Aug. to come by Labor Day (Sept. 1), when this ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL BEACH CLEAN-UP: The 11th 3, 2008, when residents on the east side of last major phase of the entire project will annual beach clean-up, sponsored by the American Littoral Society and the Ocean Conser- the street were roused from their beds by be completed. “After that, we just have the vancy, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Volunteers are needed to firemen and Con Edison workers alerting final clean-up steps.” remove and record the amount and types of litter found by the City Island bridge and adjacent them to a possible gas leak. This includes a punch list of curb and beach areas. We will meet at 9 on the City Island side of the bridge. For more information, Workers from Carp Construction, the sidewalk repairs up and down City Island call 914-882-9578. contractor assigned to the project, acciden- Avenue. “We will go over the condition of tally hit a two-inch pressurized gas main the avenue, block by block and make re- “AN HONEST DOLLAR,” a comedy written by Island resident Robert Mulroy, while replacing the sewer pipes. They pairs,” he said. The repaving of City Island is being performed at the Producer’s Club, 358 West 44th Street, in mid-town Manhattan. The immediately notified Con Edison and the Avenue is complete, for which most Is- play opens on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m., with performances also on Friday and Saturday, New York City Fire Department, which landers are grateful, but minor repairs will Sept. 12 and 13, at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, Sept.